Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

I have a 7 year old Siberian Husky and a 3 year old Husky. Lately, the older one has been attacking the younger one for no reason. Even when I let them outside if the little one even growls the bigger one jumps her. It is breaking my heart. Its been going on for almost 2 weeks now.

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I started letting the older one sleep with me and the younger one sleep with my kid, but she still attacks her even if she moves from the spot she is in. I have tried to show the older one more attention, but the minute I even try to show the younger dog any attention the older one wants to attack her. They have been together for 3 years now, but all of a sudden they have been fighting and they are both female. Any ideas would be great because I am at wits end I don't want to get rid of the older one, but I will if she keeps it up. Please help. Thanks.

Tammy120002004 from MI

Answers:

Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

Have you had the older dog checked at the vet. Like humans with age dogs attitude and dementia change. The older could feel threatened, protective or feel as if her time is ending and is perceiving the younger as a cause. Call you vet and ask before getting rid of her. He may have other ideas, it could be a illness like arthritis or heat or any number of things not even related to your other dog, just the older using the younger as a scape goat.

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My fear would be that the kids might get caught in the cross fire and get hurt when it could be something minor. Good luck. (08/06/2007)

Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

I suggest having your older dog examined by a vet to rule out an illness. We all get cranky when we don't feel well. (08/06/2007)

By Carol in PA

Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

I agree with the others, but even if it turns out to be just aggression and no physical issue you can completely turn the dog around by taking obedience classes from instructors who specialize in training aggressive dogs. They can work magic. (08/06/2007)

By Me

Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

Just a shot in the dark, the other suggestions are certainly sound, but if the change was sudden, and the aggression real, perhaps your younger dog has developed an "adult dog" scent, which the older dog is reacting to.

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She might not have felt threatened by a pup or an adolescent companion, but maturation occurs in some breeds as late as 2 1/2 - 3 years. Please ask your vet. (08/06/2007)

By U*u*U

Advice For Aggressive Older Dog

I agree with a few other posters here who say it's time for a once-over by your vet. When an adult dog's behavior changes drastically it's usually tied to a medical problem. At seven, your dog is middle-aged and it's not unusual for a variety of medical issues to start cropping up then.

Another thought is to also get the younger one checked out; as yet another poster mentioned, in the wild, dogs mask any pain they're in so the others won't overpower them in their weakness. Could also be that your younger dog has a medical issue that the older dog is picking up on and showing aggression to the "weakness".

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Either way, your vet should be able to give you some answers. (08/14/2009)